Introduction to Religion in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians were polytheistic meaning they believed in many gods and Goddesses. There were over 2000 gods to deal with every imaginable event or problem. Each god or goddess held a place in keeping peace and harmony in Ancient Egypt. Some were thought to have taking in the creation of the world such as Geb Khnum or Levi. Others were credited with bringing rain or good crops such as Shu or Min. Other examples would be Osiris the King of the nether word or Bastet the cat goddess.
Ceremonies and ways of worshipping
Ways of worshipping- The ancient Egyptians believed that temples were the homes of the gods and goddesses. Every temple was dedicated to a god or goddess and he or she was worshipped there by the temple priests and the pharaoh. They believed that it was very important to please the gods and goddesses. For that reason, worshipping the deities was a large part of life in ancient Egypt.
Some gods and goddesses were worshipped by the pharaoh and priests in large temples. These were the 'official' gods and goddesses of the state, like Amun, Horus and Bastet.
Other gods and goddesses were worshipped by ordinary people in their homes. These were the gods and goddesses like Bes and Tawaret who protected people from the dangers of daily life, like scorpion bites, crocodile attacks and childbirth.
Ceremonies- The purpose of the temple was celebration of the cult of the god, but the building did not act as a meeting place for worshippers. Each temple was built so people could come to worship and ask favours from the gods. A statue of the god stood in a room at the back of the temple. It was only brought out on feast days and even then the statue itself kept hidden inside a shrine. Ordinary people could only go as far as the entrance hall of the temple, where they would meet the god’s servant, the priest. The priest would take messages and offerings from the people and interpret the god’s answers. Often the animals associated with the god were kept in the temple. A different god and goddess was worshipped in each of the great temples. Ordinary people never went inside the temples. Only the priests and the pharaoh were allowed into these holy spaces.
Opet Festival- Ordinary people did take part in religious festivals. A festival called Opet was held in honour of the chief god, Amun-Re. The priests carried a statue of the god from his temple at Karnak to another to Luxor. People had a day off work to watch the procession. They asked for god’s help as his statue passed by.
Some gods and goddesses were worshipped by the pharaoh and priests in large temples. These were the 'official' gods and goddesses of the state, like Amun, Horus and Bastet.
Other gods and goddesses were worshipped by ordinary people in their homes. These were the gods and goddesses like Bes and Tawaret who protected people from the dangers of daily life, like scorpion bites, crocodile attacks and childbirth.
Ceremonies- The purpose of the temple was celebration of the cult of the god, but the building did not act as a meeting place for worshippers. Each temple was built so people could come to worship and ask favours from the gods. A statue of the god stood in a room at the back of the temple. It was only brought out on feast days and even then the statue itself kept hidden inside a shrine. Ordinary people could only go as far as the entrance hall of the temple, where they would meet the god’s servant, the priest. The priest would take messages and offerings from the people and interpret the god’s answers. Often the animals associated with the god were kept in the temple. A different god and goddess was worshipped in each of the great temples. Ordinary people never went inside the temples. Only the priests and the pharaoh were allowed into these holy spaces.
Opet Festival- Ordinary people did take part in religious festivals. A festival called Opet was held in honour of the chief god, Amun-Re. The priests carried a statue of the god from his temple at Karnak to another to Luxor. People had a day off work to watch the procession. They asked for god’s help as his statue passed by.
God or Gods which were important in the religion
Religion was a very important part of Egyptian daily life. These gods often took on the shape or part of the shape of a particular animal. The Ancient Egyptians believed that a god or goddess looked after each part of their lives. For example a god called Bes looked after women and children. He was also the god of music and merriment. They also believed that if the gods became angry the River Nile would not flood each year. Their green fields would become dusty desert. Their crops and animals would die, and eventually they would die too. A priest’s job was to keep the gods happy by offering gifts to them. Priests were very important people in Ancient Egypt.
The three most important Gods in Ancient Egypt
Re (also referred to as Ra) was the sun god; He took on different shapes at different times of the day
Amun- was the god of the air and of Thebes. His name means hidden. When Thebes became the capital of Egypt, he merged with Re to become the chief god, Amun-Re.
Osiris- was the god of the dead, who judged all men when they died.
Amun- was the god of the air and of Thebes. His name means hidden. When Thebes became the capital of Egypt, he merged with Re to become the chief god, Amun-Re.
Osiris- was the god of the dead, who judged all men when they died.
The roles of religious leaders such as priests in curing disease and maintain health
As with most things in ancient Egypt, religion was a part of medicine too. Most doctors were priests that also trained in medicine, usually in a training facility in the temple itself. Doctors would chant incantations and cast spells as well as provide medical help. Many of the cases were believed to be cause by dark supernatural forces, and had to be dealt with on that level. The doctors were trained in medicine and magic, and usually it was an inherited career from father to son. There were also female doctors, but the majority was male. There were professional divisions in ancient Egyptian medicine according to skill and experience.
From lowest to highest rank there were:
From lowest to highest rank there were:
- Lay physicians
- Supervisors of the lay physicians
- Magic physicians (who treated people through religious rituals)
- Caretakers of the Pharaoh's anus (yes that's right, and it was a high ranking position too!)
- Specialists (like teeth, stomach, etc...)
Ways in which religion impacted on the lives on the people. Did they believe that ill health was inked to transgressions?
Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the universe. Therefore, it was important to keep them happy. They could make the Nile overflow, cause famine, or even bring death.
In ancient Egypt, worshiping of gods was part of everyday life. Ancient Egyptians regarded every event in relation between natural and supernatural forces. They believed in the "afterlife." They needed to obey their gods because after death, the gods would judge them. They believed that the dead could eat, drink, and move and their spirits needed a body to live in, which is why the dead were mummified in ancient Egypt.
Transgression was treated in different ways, when committed against others and personal transgression. When Transgressions were against Mankind, the punishment related to the crime committed. Egypt was relatively crime free, as people feared the punishment of the gods in the afterlife. Personal Transgressions was believed to be in the hands of the Gods and punishment took place after death during the judgment of Ma'at.
In ancient Egypt, worshiping of gods was part of everyday life. Ancient Egyptians regarded every event in relation between natural and supernatural forces. They believed in the "afterlife." They needed to obey their gods because after death, the gods would judge them. They believed that the dead could eat, drink, and move and their spirits needed a body to live in, which is why the dead were mummified in ancient Egypt.
Transgression was treated in different ways, when committed against others and personal transgression. When Transgressions were against Mankind, the punishment related to the crime committed. Egypt was relatively crime free, as people feared the punishment of the gods in the afterlife. Personal Transgressions was believed to be in the hands of the Gods and punishment took place after death during the judgment of Ma'at.
The role of jewellery, crystals and talismans as symbols of power, healing and protection from injury and sickness.
Crystal healing was commonly used by the ancient Egyptians, who placed a high value on crystals and gemstones for medicinal purposes. Ancient Egyptians used stones primarily for protection and health, including chrysolite, turquoise, howlite, amethysts, jasper, citrine, carnelian, blue lace agate and hematite.
Egyptian Turquoise was probably the most frequently used gemstone in ancient Egypt. Prized as a life stone and a great healer as it was to bestow wealth and happiness upon its receiver. Amethysts were used in many ways including helping with headaches, cravings, blood sugar problems and blood in general. Jasper was believed to increase sexuality and fertility. Chrysolite was used to combat night terrors and purge evil spirits. Green stones in general were used to signify the heart of the deceased and were included in burials.
Egyptian Turquoise was probably the most frequently used gemstone in ancient Egypt. Prized as a life stone and a great healer as it was to bestow wealth and happiness upon its receiver. Amethysts were used in many ways including helping with headaches, cravings, blood sugar problems and blood in general. Jasper was believed to increase sexuality and fertility. Chrysolite was used to combat night terrors and purge evil spirits. Green stones in general were used to signify the heart of the deceased and were included in burials.
The role of religion in the major celebrations in their lives such as births, weddings, reaching adulthood, death.
The worshiping of gods was part of everyday life in ancient Egypt and much social life occurred in and around temples. Respect for parents was a cornerstone of morality in ancient Egypt. Gods looked after births, were prayed to during weddings and continued to be a major factor in people’s lives until their death.